Muse * Spark is my coaching service for creatives — and would-be creatives.
I can help you free yourself to do what feeds your soul
Have you abandoned your creative self (for years or decades) to focus on career and/or family?
Were you never encouraged to be creative, but still want to create?
Are you stuck on a project and don’t know how to get un-stuck?
Do you work in a creative field but feel dried up, or worse, burnt out?
You don’t have to figure it out alone
I’ll help you get out of your own way using tactics that will move you forward, letting you connect with the playful spirit of freedom and experimentation that is the basis for all creativity.
I’ll help you to do the work only you can do
…and we’ll have a blast doing it
“Katharine is a true creative artist, at the top of her game”
How do I help your creativity?
I create a space for us to talk over your concerns, dreams, and desires one-on-one, with total confidentiality. Together, we’ll find out where you are and where you’d like to go, and explore ways to establish, maintain, pivot, or revive a creative practice. It’s not easy in this world—so much conspires against it… And yet, the importance of enjoying our creative powers cannot be understated, and it is never too late to start. Or to “get back on the horse”. Possibly a different horse!
My coaching will offer you new strategies and mindsets based on my exploration of artistic process and practice through the lens of Integrated Practice, Alexander Technique, Zen philosophy, psychology…and decades of hands-on teaching, mentoring, art-making, and writing. I naturally draw on forty-plus years’ experience as a professional classical musician—an art that demands continuous dedication—but also years of informal coaching of creatives of all stripes. I’ve been in the flow, but also stuck, a pro but also a wanna-be—it’s all good, I can help you move forward.
Above all, I believe in the power of positive energy, experimentation, humor, kindness, encouragement, as well as fun and games to crack open the creativity that defines us as human and feeds our souls.
[Sessions are held on Zoom, unless you happen to be in lovely Lisbon, Portugal.]
Client testimonials
“Coaching sessions with Katharine have given me another perspective to use when thinking about my artistic process.
Everyone needs support especially when talking about our artwork which is a lonely road … we can easily lose perspective. Having an outside set of eyes is not only helpful but a necessity!
Real conversations spark new possibilities, so thank you, Katharine!”
“The best part of working with Katharine was her openness, and learning how she approaches some things musically and how that might help our creativity across other fields.
Coaching helped me maintain an identity as a writer, but also helped me to not close off other types of writing not within my strengths. I’m clearer now about what I need as next steps.
Katharine was easy to talk to and I just went in with curiosity …would definitely recommend it.”
My Story
Growing up in a family of artists with a pen and a paintbrush in my hand, my paintings appeared in local shows when I was 12, before I fell madly in love with music. I earned a B.A. cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Pomona College with a major in Music and a minor in French Literature while practicing flute 3 to 4 hours a day. Persistance is my middle name.
As a Thomas J. Watson Fellow, I traveled across Europe for a year—before cellphones, the internet, or even ATMs—listening to the finest orchestras in the world, practicing flute, reading novels, and soaking up European culture. I spent my one and only year in a music conservatory at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, earning a Masters in Music with honors. Living the life of the young musician in New York City, I performed at Carnegie Hall, in debut recitals at Carnegie Recital Hall, and with the Tanglewood Fellowship Orchestra under Leonard Bernstein.
In the late ’80's I went to Lisbon, Portugal, "for six months” for an orchestra job and never looked back. Immersing myself in another language and culture, I held down the demanding position of Principal Flute at the Lisbon Opera House for 25 years. Simultaneously, I premiered over a hundred new chamber or solo works on flutes from the piccolo to the contrabass flute, baroque traverso and bansuri.
I have mentored several generations of talented young musicians, providing practical knowledge as well as supporting them as they enter a very demanding profession. Former students of mine are employed across Portugal as soloists, orchestral players, chamber musicians, teachers, conservatory directors, and conductors. I view teaching as a living, changing art, always adapting and seeking the best solutions to pass on to my students.
Along the way, I became a devoted student of the Alexander Technique, a reader of Zen philosophy, books on habits, productivity, writing, and the creative process. I began to improvise and compose, and my love for art-making rushed back into my life. I earned a certification in Integrated Practice in Paris with Pedro de Alcantara, and have trained with Eric Maisel, the renowned creativity coach.
All this comes together in my Muse * Spark coaching:
I will help you succeed in your artistic endeavors.
Being able to create what only YOU can is a way of giving meaning to your life by contributing—in ways large or small—to the vast treasure-trove of human invention.
I’m obsessed with all things creative process and practice, and I’m eager to help you figure out what works for you.
Muse * Spark Coaching Packages
There are several ways for us to work together; the best way is the way that works for you, whether that means weekly sessions, bi-weekly, or monthly—or a one-off “Lightning Bolt”. You can book an Introductory Call, the cost of which is deducted entirely from the price of any of the packages, should you sign up—see below. Let’s get to know each other and see what suits you best.
Plan A
Who is this for?
creatives who want weekly feedback and support
anyone starting a creative practice
those who prefer a frequent, half-hour shot-in-the-arm of inspiration
people needing special help with accountability
How does it work?
We’ll have ten 30-minute sessions together over a three-month period
You’ll receive a questionnaire prior to starting, and receive email support from me between sessions
Price - $1,100
Plan B
Who is this for?
creatives for whom feedback and support every other week is ideal
creatives who want regular support, but need some time in-between sessions due to the nature of their work
those who want to work autonomously for a couple weeks between sessions, balancing that with regular coaching contact
those who enjoy the deep-dive of a longer session
How does it work?
We’ll have six 60-minute sessions together over a three-month period
You’ll receive a questionnaire prior to starting, and receive email support from me between sessions
Price - $900
Lightning Bolt
Who is this for?
creatives who want to discuss their work, its direction, their work methods, a creative pivot, or a specific project
creatives who want to get into the nitty-gritty in one long session
would-be creatives who need a shot in the arm to pick a project and get going
creatives who need a one-off boost, support, and feedback
How does it work?
One 90-minute session
You’ll receive a questionnaire prior to starting, and receive email support from me during one month following the session
Price - $240
Bonfire Season
Who is this for?
creatives with an large project, such as writing a novel, preparing an exposition, preparing an important performance, competition, or recording
those who want support and feedback during a ten-month period
creatives needing help with accountability
anyone feeling overwhelmed with issues such as marketing, imposter syndrome, fear of being seen, fear of failure, fear of success, organizing their workflow…
How does it work?
Ten 60-minute sessions over a ten-month period
You’ll receive a questionnaire prior to starting, and have a monthly email check-in from me between sessons
Price - $1,400
Introductory Call
One 45-minute session to get to know each other and discuss your goals and how I can be of help. You will leave with at least one actionable strategy to help you move forward straight away
Who is this for?
anyone interested in being coached
anyone who isn’t sure which package is best for them
anyone who hopes to start a creative practice and wants to check it all out before committing
everyone!
Price - $99*
*The price of the Introductory Call will be deducted from any package you subsequently purchase.
Undecided? Need more information?
Let’s touch base — hit the button below to email me
